Diary of a Crossbeak: Support for Special Needs Chickens and their Keepers

[NewToFarming]

I would start her off maybe supplement twice a day and see how she does and if you notice she isn't gaining after a bit, then increase it to 3 times. Yes, I call the chick feed moistened in water the mash. Yes, you can get powdered vitamins at the feed store or you can also use the Poly-Vi-Sol infant drops. Just be sure it is the ones that do NOT contain iron in it.

 

[freedomrings]

Hi,
Could you please go into detail on how and where you trim the beak? I have a 10 week old silkie with a cross beak and thought if I started trimming now maybe could keep the deformity down a bit.
Thank you

 

[SuburbanSue]

My cross beak Dominique, Wishbone, is the leader of our flock. Don't mess with her!

 

[BullChick]

A beak is like a toenail. Use nail clippers, and clip the very end off. You should see where the clearer part is versus the darker area. The clear part is the area you can clip. If you clip too much, just be sure to have flour or ... I think it is corn starch to help clot the bleeding. Don't worry. She will be a little hurt, but nothing serious.
Have you ever clipped a cat or dog's nails? Same thing.

 

[Shianne]

Thank you so much. I have started giving them all mush and they are loving it. I'll go ahead and get her some vitamins as well.

That Silkie is cute, good luck with him/her, we just trimmed our chicks beak back.

 

[AK Chicken Yard]

We had a bantam sultan cross beak. She was the most friendly chicken we ever had. She thought she lived in the house and would follow you everwhere. The picture doesnt show her beak very well.

 

[robinwiththechickens]

@ For the birds & AK Chicken Yard: Those are the cutest chickens I’ve ever seen…I think I’ve seen a lot of cute chicken pics on here, but yours take the cake…you made my day. Thanks!

 

[NewToFarming]

Thank you so much. I have started giving them all mush and they are loving it. I'll go ahead and get her some vitamins as well.

That Silkie is cute, good luck with him/her, we just trimmed our chicks beak back.

I hope it helps to get some weight on her! Mine think the mash is the best treat in the world! It is also good to give them because you can mix it with cold water on hot days to help cool them and warm water on cold days to help warm them up!

I use a pedi paws to grind my crossbeaks. The tolerate it very well! Much better than the clippers. Just watch out for their tongues when you trim or grind. Mine like to stick their tongues out while grinding.

 

[freedomrings]

So do I trim both top and bottom beaks?
Thank you.

 

[NewToFarming]

Yes, it looks like your silkie's bottom beak is growing long. I would do both. I started mine a little at a time initially. I did it like every few days until it got back the best it could be and then only maintenance after that. Doing a little at a time gets them a little more used to it and you are less likely to hit the vein in the beak.